Improvement in clasps



J. W. SMITH. Clasps.

1 0. 211,530. Patentd Jan 21,|s19.;

N,PETERS, FHOTO-LITNOGRAPHER, WASHXNGTDN. D, C.

UN TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH W. SMITH, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN CLASPS.

I Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 211,530, dated January 21, 1879; application filed December 13, 1877 with n1 y clasp, and the other figures show details of the clasp.

My clasp is composed of the piece A and the loop B, hinged together, both being shaped asshown, and the loop B adapted to straddle the piece A. The fabric to be held by the clasp is placed between the free end of the loop and the piece A, and the loop is pressed down so as to straddle the piece A and bind the fabric close to its sides, holding the fabric securely.

The two parts of the loop B which hold the fabric against the two sides of the piece A are connected together by a wire bow, (shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 8,) which passes over the top of the piece A, and is bentback toward the place where the piece A and loop B are hinged together, as will be clear from Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings. This part oftheloopB whichis bent back serves the purpose of facilitating the operation of attaching and detaching the material to be held by the clasp, and also by its elasticity causes the two parts of the loop B which hold the fabric against the sides of A to adjust themselves to the thickness ofthe fabric. Thus the use of a ring or any other device for keeping the loop B closed down upon the piece A is dispensed with, and the two parts A and B are pivoted directly together, and will hold a fabric of ordinary thickness firmly without any very great strain upon each other, a device being formed which, owing to the peculiar shape of the loop B, is easily attached to and detached from a fabric. In these respects my device differs from any other now known to me.

When in use the strain upon the fabric held 1 down does not tend to separate the loop B and piece A, the strain being parallel to the bottom of A; but when the device is canted (as is readily done with one hand when it is desired to remove the fabric) the straincoming across the device separates B from A.

I prefer to strike up the part A from sheet metal, but it may be made solid. In practice it is usually ornamented on the upper part.

This form of clasp may be used in a variety of ways-for example, to form a sleeve-elastic, in which case two may be used, as shown in Fig. 1, connected together either by webbing or by spiral springs. The most convenient way of attaching spiral springs to the clasp is shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, in which the springholder D, Fig. 1, is shown in detail, I) I) being cars which hook into the spring from the outside, and a a pieces which wrap around the spring ends and hold the ears in place, the whole being made out of sheet metal. This spring-holder may be made in one piece with or hinged to the clasp, as preferred.

I am aware of Patent No. 169,205, of 1875, to Osgood but in the device therein described it is essential that one of the parts shall move lengthwise upon the other, which is not so in my device.

I am also aware of the Patents Nos. 17 ,413, of 1857, to Bates, and 17 4,806, of 1876, to Greely; but in these devices also it is essential that one of the parts shall move lengthwise in relation to the other, and, moreover, that the two parts shall be locked together to keep them from being forced away from .each other when in use, neither of these features being in my device.

I am also aware of Patent No. 55,842, of 1866,

to Essex and Johnson ;-but in this device it is essential that the two parts shall be locked to-.

gether when in use. I therefore disclaim the devices shown in these patents.

What I claim as my invention is- The improved clasp composed of the two parts A and B, each shaped as shown, and hinged together, the part B formed with a bow at one end, which extends across and above the end of part A, and the sides of B lying along the sides of A, so as to receive and hold the fabric, as described.

JosnPH WM. SMITH.

Witnesses J. E. MAYNADIER, GEORGE O. G. OoALE. 

